Bi@C Nanoplates Derived from (BiO)2CO3 as an Enhanced Electrode Material for Lithium/Sodium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) carbon coated bismuth nanoplates (Bi@C) were prepared by a self-template and subsequent thermal treatment process utilizing 2D (BiO)2CO3 nanosheets as starting material. The 2D nanoplates provide feasible pathways for electrons and ions while the outer carbon-coated layer efficiently prohibited the agglomeration of Bi and accommodated the huge volume change of Bi during the charging/discharging process. The as-obtained Bi@C nanoplates maintain a capacity higher than 420 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles as an anode of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). For sodium ion batteries (SIBs), a capacity of approximately 200 mAh g−1 over 200 cycles was achieved by the Bi@C electrode. The as-obtained 2D Bi@C nanoplates solves the problem of low conductivity and a large volume change of Bi when applied as an anode of secondary batteries, offering a simple, low-cost, and eco-friendly method for fabricating bismuth-carbon composite electrodes with excellent electrochemical performance in LIBs and SIBs.